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For children with pediatric brain tumors radiation therapy has been the backbone of treatment, in combination with surgery and chemotherapy. Although pediatric brain tumors can be highly responsive to radiation its use needs to be limited since radiation can be damaging to the brain, causing abnormal inflammation and long-term cognitive deficits that will profoundly impact the lives of patients. As the recipient of the Benicio Martinez Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research St. Baldrick's Research Grant, Dr. Sredni and her colleagues have identified a new drug (MW151) that can be given orally to patients receiving radiation therapy and can protect their brains against the cognitive decay caused by radiation. They are about to start a clinical trial, funded by the government (NIH/NCI), associating MW151 to whole brain radiation for the treatment of adults with brain metastases. Her goal is to move this approach to the pediatric population. This project is performing experiments that will test if inhibiting neuroinflammation with MW151 will interfere with brain tumor's response to radiation. This information is crucial to allow them to move forward with the studies necessary to use this protective drug in children. This new drug candidate has the potential to provide a safe and effective new adjunct protective treatment strategy. It can potentially transform the care and significantly improve the quality of life of our young patients and their families. Weeks after being the top fundraiser in his 6th grade class and shaving his head at his school’s event, Benny was diagnosed with medulloblastoma. Despite complications from treatment and setbacks, Benny has an amazing can-do attitude and is battling the cancer with determination.

This grant is funded by the Hero Fund that honors Benny’s fight and supports cures and better treatments for kids like him.